Pakistan hires CSK’s David Reid as Mental and Skill Conditioning Coach

August 20, 2024

Pakistan hires CSK’s David Reid as Mental and Skill Conditioning Coach

Reid, who collaborates with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, will join the Pakistan team for the T20 International series in England and the T20 World Cup in the Americas this June

Pakistan has enlisted New Zealand’s David Reid, who has been with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2021, as their new mental and skill conditioning coach.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Reid, who works with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, will join the team for the T20 International series in England and the T20 World Cup in the Americas this June.

Reid will join a solid support staff, including Simon Helmut, who was appointed as the new fielding coach.

“The appointments of Helmut and Reid were made on the recommendation of head coach Gary Kirsten, who will take charge of the team on 19th May in England,” the PCB said.

.Kirsten has been appointed Pakistan’s new white-ball coach for two years. He brings extensive experience, having previously coached the Indian national team and currently serving as the head coach of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

According to the PCB, Aftab Khan, who has accompanied the Pakistan team as fielding coach during tours to Ireland and England, will transition to high-performance coach once Helmut joins the squad.

Kirsten, 56, was officially named the white-ball head coach last month, alongside Jason Gillespie, who was appointed red-ball head coach.

In addition to overseeing the team during next month’s T20 World Cup and various bilateral white-ball series, Kirsten will lead Pakistan into critical tournaments such as the 2025 Champions Trophy the 2025 T20 Asia Cup in Pakistan, the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

“I’m truly excited to embark on this new journey with the Pakistan men’s cricket team. It’s an honour to coach such a talented and dynamic team, and I’m eager to contribute to their success on the international stage,” Kirsten said in a statement.

“These are indeed thrilling times for Pakistan cricket, with a new administration and players who are driven to deliver solid results. The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our skills and uphold Pakistan’s legacy as a formidable force in cricket,” he added.

“I’ll bat anywhere for the team,” on His Return to No. 4 says Steve Smith

Aug 20, 2024

Smith spent most of his career batting at No. 4. Still, he was promoted to the opening spot after David Warner retired from Test cricket.

Despite being 35, Smith is showing no signs of stepping back from the game and continues to seek opportunities to contribute at both domestic and international levels. The star batter has signed a three-year contract with the Sixers, reaffirming his commitment to Australian cricket. This deal allows Smith to participate in up to four BBL matches during the upcoming home summer, fitting in those games between the conclusion of Australia’s final Test against India and their tour of Sri Lanka.

Smith’s decision to extend his playing career in the BBL highlights his desire to remain a key figure in Australian cricket, particularly in the T20 format, where his experience and batting prowess are invaluable. With this move, Smith has clarified that he intends to stay at the top of his game for years, balancing his Test commitments with his passion for the shorter formats.

Smith was overlooked for Australia’s T20 World Cup squad but remains committed to playing all formats. “I don’t have any plans, I’m just enjoying playing at the moment. I’m pretty relaxed and I’m looking forward to this summer,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“I think I’ll get a few (BBL) games in this year and then we’ll see where we go from there. Every chance I get, I jump at it.”

Smith took over as Australia’s opening batsman against the West Indies and New Zealand last summer, following David Warner’s retirement from Test cricket after the home series against Pakistan. However, he managed only 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.25, significantly lower than his career average of 56.97.

Smith admitted he’s still determining whether he’ll open in the upcoming five-match series against India, starting November 22 at Perth Stadium. However, he hinted that his teammates are keen to see him return to his usual No. 4 position, where he has spent much of his career.

“The conversations I’ve had so far are that we’ll go to England and the boys will have the T20s, and then I’m there for the One-Dayers and we’ll make a decision after that,” he said.

“Those conversations are happening in the background. I saw some comments that Usman (Khawaja) made and I think he said he likes me down at No. 4, and I think Marnus (Labuschagne) is of a similar thought pattern.

“I’m happy wherever and I’ll bat anywhere for the team. For me it’s just a position.”

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Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.